Inflatable furniture with pop-up valve inflation indicator

Abstract

The present invention describes an inflatable device, illustrated as an inflatable bed, which is designed to minimize damage to the bed as a result of under or over inflation. The inflatable bed comprises an inflatable mattress which includes an inflation indicator. The inflatable mattress includes a pop-up valve indicator assembly comprising an indicator pin, a compressible and extendable member such as a spring, and a barrier member such as diaphragm, all housed within the interior of the inflation indicator. The indicator pin further contains indicia to provide visualization as to the amount of air inflated within the inflatable mattress. The indicia provides for a quick and easy mechanism to determine inflation levels.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . Inflatable furniture having an inflation indicator therein for visually indicating levels of furniture inflation comprising:
 an inflatable furniture body having a plurality of surfaces interconnected to define an enclosed inflation substance chamber for receiving and holding an inflation substance;   at least one of said side surfaces having a valve disposed thereon for introduction of said inflation substance into said enclosed chamber for inflation of said inflatable furniture body; and   at least one inflation indicator for indicating the various levels of inflation substance within said enclosed inflation substance chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The inflatable furniture having an inflation indicator therein for visually indicating levels of furniture inflation according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one inflation indicator includes a pop-up valve adapted to visually indicate at least two levels of inflation. 
     
     
         3 . The inflatable furniture having an inflation indicator therein for visually indicating levels of furniture inflation according to  claim 2  wherein said inflation indicator comprises an inflation indicator assembly comprising:
 an inflation indicator main body sized to pass through at least one surface of said inflatable furniture body, said inflation indicator main body having a first end and a second opposing end; 
 an inflation indicating member slidably engaged with said main body whereby said inflation indicating member traverses between an indicating position and a non-indicating position; 
 a compressible and extendable member; and 
 a barrier member. 
 
     
     
         4 . The inflatable furniture having an inflation indicator therein for visually indicating levels of furniture inflation according to  claim 3  wherein said compressible and extendable member is a spring. 
     
     
         5 . The inflatable furniture having an inflation indicator therein for visually indicating levels of furniture inflation according to  claim 3  wherein said compressible and extendable member is made from a compressible foam or compression plastic. 
     
     
         6 . The inflatable furniture having an inflation indicator therein for visually indicating levels of furniture inflation according to  claim 3  wherein said barrier member is a diaphragm. 
     
     
         7 . The inflatable furniture having an inflation indicator therein for visually indicating levels of inflatable furniture inflation according to  claim 6  wherein said diaphragm is made from a flexible or semi-flexible plastic material. 
     
     
         8 . The inflatable furniture having an inflation indicator therein for visually indicating levels of furniture inflation according to  claim 3  wherein said inflation indicator main body includes a plate positioned at said first end having an inner surface in contact with an outer surface of said inflatable furniture body, said second opposing end having an aperture which is at least partially closed by a cap. 
     
     
         9 . The inflatable furniture having an inflation indicator therein for visually indicating levels of furniture inflation according to  claim 8  wherein said plate is flush with said outer surface of said inflatable furniture body. 
     
     
         10 . The inflatable furniture having an inflation indicator therein for visually indicating levels of furniture inflation according to  claim 8  wherein said plate comprises a first plate surface, a second plate surface, said first plate surface and said second plate surface separated by a continuous wall thereby forming a recess area. 
     
     
         11 . The inflatable furniture having an inflation indicator therein for visually indicating levels of furniture inflation according to  claim 10  wherein said continuous wall comprises an angled surface. 
     
     
         12 . The inflatable furniture having an inflation indicator therein for visually indicating levels of furniture inflation according to  claim 3  wherein said inflation indicating member includes an elongated body having a flanged base. 
     
     
         13 . The inflatable furniture having an inflation indicator therein for visually indicating levels of inflatable furniture inflation according to  claim 12  wherein said diaphragm is positioned between said flanged base of said inflation indicating elongated body and said cap. 
     
     
         14 . The inflatable furniture having an inflation indicator therein for visually indicating levels of inflatable furniture inflation according to  claim 12  wherein said compressible and extendable member is coaxially aligned with said inflation indicating elongated body. 
     
     
         15 . The inflatable furniture having an inflation indicator therein for visually indicating levels of inflatable furniture inflation according to  claim 12  wherein said inflation indicating elongated body contains indicating indicia. 
     
     
         16 . The inflatable furniture having an inflation indicator therein for visually indicating levels of inflatable furniture inflation according to  claim 15  wherein said indicating indicia is numbers, words, symbols, colored markings, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The inflatable furniture having an inflation indicator therein for visually indicating levels of furniture inflation according to  claim 15  wherein said indicating indicia includes a single colored ring. 
     
     
         18 . The inflatable furniture having an inflation indicator therein for visually indicating levels of furniture inflation according to  claim 15  wherein said indicating indicia includes multiple colored rings (bands.) 
     
     
         19 . The inflatable furniture having an inflation indicator therein for visually indicating levels of furniture inflation according to  claim 1  further including an internal pumping mechanism. 
     
     
         20 . The inflatable furniture having an inflation indicator therein for visually indicating levels of furniture inflation according to  claim 1  wherein said inflatable furniture is a mattress having a top surface and a bottom surface, said top surface and said bottom surface connected by a sidewall to define an enclosed mattress chamber for receiving and holding an inflation substance.